As I lay in my bed, idly contemplating the pale pastel tones of shocking pink on the walls of my room, I began imagining the Trans Manche ferry on which I had booked a crossing, steaming at full speed towards Dieppe. It was nine thirty in the morning. I was in Berck, in a hospital bed, following a shocking bout of food poisoning the night before, and there was a lengthy car drive and a mere four hours before my ferry was due to leave for Newhaven. If I was to avoid missing the boat and wasting precious time, (there would have possibly been a twelve hour wait for the next ferry), I had to take decisive action and fast! The staff in the hospital were apparently pretty laid back in the face of my protestations, with a casual assurance that the doctor would be along presently to verify my fitness for discharge.
There was only one course of action available in my opinion. I ripped the IV
line from my arm, removed countless bits of adhesive medical paraphernalia
from my person (James Bond-esque), and prepared to make my escape. (It has to be said that the `ripping` was in fact a very careful pulling action, attempted only after careful consideration of the possible consequences!) I had managed to retrieve my clothes from the cupboard and was dressing hastily, when the nurse appeared. From what I can gather with my limited knowledge of the local language, she was saying something like - `My god, what are you doing?`
The net result of my actions was that the doctor appeared within what must have been seconds and a taxi was waiting for me before I had even tied my shoe laces. I have to say I was rather enjoying the morning at this point and was whisked away in the bright morning sunshine to my car which I had left outside the location at which I had consumed the guilty food stuff the night before. From here I hurried back to my accommodation, frantically collected my things, said many  hasty goodbyes and fled for Dieppe – without a map!
Fortunately my memory of the journey to Berck was still fresh and I managed, with just a few deviations, to arrive at Dieppe with 15 minutes to spare. After boarding the ferry I went out on deck just in time to see the ropes being cast off and waved a fond farewell with a group of children sitting on the harbour wall.……………………………………………………

This is how I spent the final twelve hours of my stay in Berck, located in the Pas de Calais, which was the venue for the French Access Dinghy Nationals of 2008. I arrived at my accommodation, which was a centre for young people with learning difficulties, on Wednesday 25th June. The Regatta took place on 27th through 29th June at a venue called Conchil le
Temple just Southeast of Berck. On the Wednesday, and before my boat had arrived from the UK, I took a taster sail in the French boat 1624, hence the photo `Frenchie`. The whole regatta was dominated by a brisk Westerly which constantly threatened to hinder the proceedings, but the wind speeds were just within the limits and this proved to provide exciting and challenging sailing. There were sailors from Australia, Spain, England and France sailing boats in the categories 303 single helm, 303 duel helm, 2.3 single and 2.3 duel. It is not my intention to list all the rankings here, but personally, I came second overall in the 303 single helm category and I am the happy one in the photo `Trophy Group`.

The whole event was very enjoyable and credit must be given to the organizers and all those who made our stay a very memorable experience.
We are seldom given the opportunity to meet and spend time with other disabled people  of international origin and to share with them our wonderful sport of sailing. I know that the majority of those who were fortunate enough to take part in this event are looking forward to attending the next international regatta.

Finally, I would like to thank those who made space for some of us at the IEM Hopale – the centre for youths with special needs. The accommodation was truly stunning with more space than we knew what to do with and the French breakfast, but mostly the hospitality which was given to us. THANK YOU !